Statutory health insurance members could see reduced additional contributions if the planned healthcare reform delivers sufficient savings, according to Federal Health Minister Nina Warken. "That is also possible," the CDU politician told "Bild am Sonntag." "If we actually save this large volume, if we actually close the gap for next year, still have some buffer – it always depends on how the economy develops – then there will also be insurance funds that can reduce additional contributions."
Warken explained that the overall goal of her reform is to stabilize contribution rates. "The reform means that in the future we will have stable contribution rates, that the additional contribution does not automatically increase every year," the minister said.
This means "relief in additional contributions and also planning security for people, but also for companies." "If we pass the package as it is, we will have enough money to be able to keep contributions stable as well," Warken added, referring to her reform proposal.
Regarding the financing of insurance contributions for Bürgergeld recipients from the federal budget, the minister is pushing for greater participation from the federal government. "We must at least find a starting point for how the federal government participates to a greater extent in these costs," she said. This is also "a question of fairness."
Whether this relief for contribution payers will succeed is still uncertain. "We are still in discussions about this," Warken told "BamS." The question is "not yet conclusively clarified."
Warken presented her proposals for reforming statutory health insurance in mid-April. The measures are intended to save 20 billion euros as early as next year to prevent further contribution increases. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) wants to have the currently much-discussed reform approved by the Cabinet this month and passed by the Bundestag before the summer break.
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